The  Life,  Character,  and  Public  Services 
of  Commodore  Jacob  Jones 


E 

182 

J6 


PAPERS  OF  THE   HISTORICAL  SOCIETY  OF  DELAWARE. 

XLVI. 


THE    LIFE,    CHARACTER,   AND    PUBLIC 
SERVICES  OF 

COMMODORE  JACOB  JONES 


BY 


MEMBER  OF  THE  SOCIETY. 


Read  before  the  Historical  Society  of  Delaware,  May  21,  1906. 


THE  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY  OF  DELAWARE, 

WILMINGTON, 
1906. 


THE  JOHN  M.  ROGERS  PRESS,  WILMINGTON,  DEL. 


LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CAI 
SANTA  BARUA 


THE  LIFE,  CHARACTER,  AND  PUBLIC  SERVICES 


OF 


COMMODORE  JACOB  JONES. 


Amidst  the  conflicting  scenes  and  events  incident  to  the 
Revolutionary  times,  seven  years  before  Patrick  Henry,  on 
the  23rd  day  of  March,  1775,  in  the  convention  of  delegates 
which  met  in  St.  John's  Episcopal  Church  in  Richmond, 
Virginia,  in  closing  a  speech  of  unsurpassed  eloquence,  said, 
"  Is  life  so  dear,  or  peace  so  sweet,  as  to  be  purchased  at  the 
price  of  chains  and  slavery  ?  Forbid  it,  Almighty  God  !  I 
know  not  what  course  others  may  take;  but,  as  for  me," 
cried  he,  "give  me  liberty,  or  give  me  death;  "  seven  years 
before  Washington  took  command  of  the  Continental  Army 
in  Boston  on  the  3rd  day  of  July,  1775,  and  eight  years 
before  Caesar  Rodney  made  his  celebrated  ride  from  near 
Dover  to  Philadelphia,  where  he  arrived  on  the  4th  day  of 
July,  1776,  and  voted  for  independence;  when  Washington 
was  but  thirty-six  years  of  age,  Jacob  Jones,  the  subject  of 
this  paper,  was  born  in  the  month  of  March,  1768.  His 
birthplace  was  on  a  farm  about  one  mile  in  a  north-westerly 
direction  from  the  town  of  Smyrna,  in  Kent  county,  Delaware. 
The  three  counties  on  the  Delaware  were  not  governed  under 
a  Royal  Charter,  as  was  Massachusetts  and  most  of  the  other 
colonies,  but  our  fore- fathers  were  living  in  happiness  and 


4  COMMODORE  JA  COB  JONES. 

safety  under  the  wise,  benignant,  and  generous  Charter  of 
William  Penn,  the  Proprietary.  In  a  letter  written  by 
William  Penn  from  I^ondon,  in  April,  1681,  he  promised 
that  they  should  be  governed  by  laws  of  their  own  making, 
and  live  free  and,  if  they  would,  a  sober  and  industrious 
people;  that  whatever  sober  and  free  men  could  reasonably 
desire  for  the  security  and  improvement  of  their  own  happi- 
ness he  would  heartily  comply  with.  Under  this  good 
government  Jacob  Jones  was  born.  His  father  was  a  farmer 
of  exemplary  moral  and  religious  character.  His  mother 
was  of  a  family  greatly  respected.  She  died  when  he  was 
an  infant.  His  father  soon  followed  her  to  the  grave  and 
at  four  years  of  age  he  was  an  orphan.  Who  took  this 
orphan  boy,  where  and  by  what  means  he  received  his 
training  and  education  is  now  unknown,  for  all  the  com- 
panions of  his  youth  and  early  manhood  have  long,  long 
since  joined  the  silent  majority,  and  perhaps,  at  the  time  of 
his  death  not  one  survived  to  recount  the  incidents  of  that 
remote  period. 

He  received  a  classical  education,  and  decided  upon  a 
professional  life  and  chose  that  of  medicine.  That  pro- 
fession, in  the  hands  of  a  skilful  honest,  judicious,  upright, 
and  accomplished  man,  is  one  of  the  richest  blessings  in  a 
community,  and  one  of  the  most  honorable.  Such  a  man 
and  such  a  physician,  was  Dr.  James  Sykes,  who  resided  in 
Dover,  and  was  one  of  the  ten  delegates  from  Kent  County 
in  the  convention  which  met  in  Dover,  in  the  month  of 
December  1787,  to  consider  the  Federal  Constitution  agreed 
upon  by  the  deputies  of  the  United  States  in  a  general  Con- 
vention held  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia  on  the  1 7th  day  of 
September  preceding,  and  then  submitted  to  the  several  states 


COMMODORE  JA  COB  JONES.  5 

for  ratification.  Under  the  direction  of  this  distinguished 
physician  and  surgeon,  Jacob  Jones  studied  for  four  years. 
He  continued  his  studies  in  the  University  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  returning  to  Delaware,  practised  his  profession  in 
the  county  which  gave  him  birth.  His  particular  friend, 
Hon.  John  M.  Clayton,  says  of  him  that  he  was  distinguished 
and  beloved  for  the  benevolence,  integrity  and  frankness  of 
his  character.  That  he  enjoyed  the  entire  confidence,  not 
only  of  the  first  citizens,  but  of  the  highest  authorities  of 
his  native  state.  He  was  appointed  by  Governor  Joshua 
Clayton,  Clerk  of  the  old  Superior  Court  of  Delaware.  How 
long  he  continued  to  fill  that  responsible  position  is  not  now 
known. 

He  married  the  sister  of  Dr.  Sykes  and  continued  his 
residence  in  Kent  County,  until  the  death  of  his  wife.  In 
the  thirty-first  year  of  his  age,  he  relinquished  the  pursuits 
of  civil  and  professional  life,  and  entered  the  Navy  of  the 
United  States,  of  which  he  was  to  become  one  of  the  bright- 
est ornaments.  The  aggressions  of  France  and  England  on 
the  commercial  marine  of  this  Country  had  swept  nearly 
every  American  merchant  ship  from  the  seas.  Prior  to  the 
Convention  of  1800,  France  alone  under  various  pretexts 
had  captured  and  destroyed  nearly  two  thousand  vessels. 
At  the  same  time  the  aggressions  upon  our  commerce  com- 
mitted by  Great  Britain  for  the  purpose  of  crippling  France 
by  stopping  the  supply  of  food  from  this  country,  were  no 
less  atrocious.  Then  it  was  that  Jones,  who  enjoyed  the 
friendship  and  gloried  in  the  fame  of  Truxton,  forsook 
the  paths  of  private  life,  abandoned  all  the  pursuits  and 
studies,  and  scenes  which  had  become  endeared  to  him  by 
the  recollections  of  youth  and  manhood,  and  though  past  the 


6  COMMODORE  JACOB  JONES. 

age  of  thirty  accepted  a  midshipman's  warrant  that  he  might 
do  battle  for  his  injured  country.  His  first  commission  as 
a  Naval  Officer  bears  date  the  loth  day  of  April,  1799. 
On  the  2oth  of  February,  1801,  he  rose  to  the  rank  of 
Lieutenant.  On  the  2oth  of  April,  1810,  he  was  made  a 
Master  Commandant.  On  the  3rd  day  of  March,  1813,  he 
was  again  promoted  and  rated  as  a  Post- Captain. 

He  made  his  first  cruise  under  Commodore  Barry  then 
regarded  as  the  Father  of  our  Navy.  In  1803  Jones  was  a 
Lieutenant  on  the  Frigate  Philadelphia  when  that  ship 
with  the  sloop  of  war  Vixen  lay  before  Tripoli  blockading 
that  port.  In  the  latter  part  of  October  the  Philadelphia 
when  lying  about  fifteen  miles  from  Tripoli,  Captain  Bain- 
bridge  her  Commander  discovered  a  large  ship  with  Tripolitan 
colors.  He  immediately  gave  chase  and  continued  the 
pursuit  until  that  ship  entered  the  port;  beating  out  of  the 
harbor  on  his  return  from  the  chase,  the  Philadelphia  ran 
upon  an  undescribed  rock.  Notwithstanding  every  effort 
was  made  to  get  her  off  she  could  not  be  moved  and  Bain- 
bridge  was  compelled,  when  an  overwhelming  Tripolitan 
force  assailed  him,  to  strike  the  banner  of  his  country  to 
the  Cresent  of  Mahomet. 

The  whole  crew  exceeding  three  hundred  Americans 
was  captured  and  imprisoned  in  a  dungeon.  In  this  crew 
were  Bainbridge,  Porter,  Jones  and  Biddle,  names  familiar 
to  every  reader  of  the  naval  history  of  our  country. 
Captain  Bainbridge,  his  officers  and  crew  now  reduced 
in  a  degree  to  equality  by  common  misery  pledged 
themselves  to  each  other  never  to  separate  alive  but 
to  endure  one  common  bondage,  or  enjoy  together  one 
general  emancipation.  Here  they  remained  prisoners  for 


COMMODORE  JA  COB  JONES.  11 

associates  when  in  the  Mediterranean,  Captains  Isaac  Hull 
and  Jacob  Jones.  The  latter  he  had  by  his  valor  emancipated 
from  a  bondage  of  eighteen  months  in  a  Tripolitan  dungeon, 
he  now  saluted  Jones  as  a  champion,  victorious  over  a 
superior  British  force. 

What  took  place  in  New  York  in  January,  1813,  in 
honor  of  these  naval  heroes  is  worth  relating.  The  corpor- 
ation and  citizens  of  that  city  displayed  their  hospitality,  in 
a  dinner  of  unsurpassed  splendor,  served  in  a  capacious  hall, 
colonnaded  with  masts  of  ships  with  flags  of  all  the  world 
suspended  upon  them.  On  each  table  was  a  minature  ship 
displaying  the  star  spangled  banner.  An  area  of  ten  by 
twenty  feet,  was  filled  with  water,  with  a  miniature 
frigate  "United  States"  floating  in  it.  A  mainsail  sixteen  by 
thirty-three  feet,  was  suspended  in  the  rear  of  the  artificial 
lake,  upon  which  was  painted  the  American  Eagle, 
holding  in  its  mouth  three  medallions,  upon  one  was  in- 
scribed Hull  and  the  Guerriere,  on  another  Jones  and  the 
Frolic,  on  the  other  Decatur  and  the  Macedonian.  A 
transparency  represented  the  frigate  Constitution  taking 
the  Guerriere,  August  i2th,  1812,  the  frigate  United 
States  taking  the  Macedonian,  October  25,  1812,  the 
Wasp  taking  the  Frolic,  November  i8th,  1812. 

Decatur  was  appointed  to  the  command  of  a  squadron  con- 
sisting of  the  United  States  (his  flag  ship)  the  frigate  Mace- 
donian, Captain  Jacob  Jones,  and  the  sloop-of-war  Hornet, 
Captain  Biddle.  On  the  24th  of  May,  1813,  Decatur  sailed 
on  a  cruise  and  on  January  ist,  1814,  when  off  the  harbor  of 
New  London,  Connecticut,  met  a  greatly  superior  force  of 
British  men-of-war.  The  American  squadron  made  good 
their  retreat  into  the  harbor  of  New  London,  and  Decatur, 


12  COMMODORE  JA  COB  JONES. 

Jones  and  Biddle  found  themselves  blockaded.  The 
vigilance  of  the  blockading  squadron  was  such  that  no 
opportunity  occurred  to  attempt  an  escape  with  any  hope 
of  success,  and  as  the  enemy  would  not  attack  them  at 
anchor,  Decatur,  Jones  and  Biddle  seven  months  after  the 
blockade,  turned  their  attention  to  a  new  species  of  Naval 
armament,  invented  by  that  unequalled  machinest  Robert 
Fulton,  and  in  the  following  (at  this  day  rather  amusing) 
Certificate,  we  have  the  opinion  of  these  distinguished 
naval  characters,  of  Fulton's  steam  frigate. 

NEW  LONDON,  January  3,  1814. 

We  the  undersigned  have  this  day  examined  the  model 
and  plans  of  a  vessel  of  war,  submitted  to  us  by  Robert 
Fulton,  to  carry  twenty-four  guns,  twenty-four  or  thirty- 
two  pounders  and  use  red  hot  shot,  to  be  propelled  by  steam 
at  the  speed  of  from  four  to  five  miles  an  hour  without  the 
aid  of  wind  or  tide.  The  properties  of  which  vessel  are: 
That  without  masts  or  sails,  she  can  move  with  sufficient 
speed;  that  her  machinery  being  guarded  she  cannot  be 
crippled;  that  her  sides  are  so  thick  as  to  be  impregnable  to 
every  kind  of  shot,  and  in  a  calm  or  light  breeze  she  can 
take  choice  of  position  or  distance  from  an  enemy.  Consid- 
ering the  speed  which  the  application  of  steam  has  already 
given  to  heavy  floating  bodies,  we  have  full  confidence  that 
should  such  a  vessel  move  only  four  miles  an  hour,  she 
could  under  favorable  circumstances,  which  may  always  be 
gained  over  enemies  vessels  in  our  ports,  harbors,  bays  and 
sounds,  be  rendered  more  formidable  to  an  enemy  than  any 
kind  of  engine  hitherto  invented.  And  in  such  case  she 
would  be  equal  to  the  destruction  of  one  or  more  seventy- 
fours,  or  of  compelling  her  or  them  to  depart  from  our  waters. 


COMMODORE  JA  COB  JONES.  13 

We,  therefore,  give  it  as  our  decided  opinion,  that  it  is 
among  the  best  interests  of  the  United  States,  to  carry  this 
plan  into  immediate  execution. 

Signed,  STEPHEN  DECATUR, 

JACOB  JONES, 
J.  BIDDI.E. 

NEW  YORK,  January  10,  1814. 

We  the  subscribers  having  examined  the  model  of  the 
above  described  vessel  of  war,  to  be  propelled  by  steam,  do 
fully  concur  in  the  above  opinion  of  the  practicability  and 
utility  of  the  same. 

O.  H.  PERRY, 
SAMUEI,  EVANS, 
Iy.  WARRINGTON, 
J.  LEWIS. 

Decatur  with  the  United  States,  and  Jones  with  the 
Macedonian,  offered  to  fight  his  Britannic  Majesty's  ships 
"Endymion"  and  "Statira",  two  of  the  blockading  ships  of 
equal  force,  and  dispatched  Captain  Biddle  under  a  flag  of 
truce  with  a  challenge,  but  it  was  declined.  The  blockade 
continued  until  peace  was  declared. 

One  of  the  frigates  in  the  squadron  destined  to  the  Medi- 
terranian  under  Decatur,  in  1815,  was  the  Macedonian,  com- 
manded by  Jones,  sailing  from  New  York,  May  2oth,  the 
squadron  reached  Gibraltar  on  the  1 4th  of  June.  Decatur  sail- 
ed around  the  harbor  with  his  squadron  in  elegant  style,  with 
his  broad  pendant,  and  all  his  flags  flying,  without  coming 
to  anchor.  As  he  was  passing  around,  a  number  of  British 
naval  officers  were  critically  viewing  the  fleet.  One  of  them 
asked  an  American  gentleman  present  to  give  the  names  of 


14  COMMODORE  JA  COB  JONES. 

the  different  ships.  With  the  utmost  politeness  he  pointed 
to  the  Commodore's  and  said  "That  is  the  Guerriere,"  then 
pointing  to  Captain  Jones',  "That  is  the  Macedonian,"  then 
at  Lieutenant  Downes' , '  'That  is  the  Emperior, ' '  and  proceed- 
ing, the  next  sir  is "oh  damn  the  next,"  said  they,  and  in 

chagrin  walked  away  at  hearing  the  names  of  three  ships 
captured  from  their  navy. 

On  the  2d  of  August  the  squadron  sailed  for  Tripoli,  and 
anchored  there  on  the  5th.  From  the  deck  of  the  Macedonian 
the  gallant  Jones  could  view  the  dungeon  in  which  he  was 
for  so  many  weary  months  imprisoned. 

Jones  was  now  about  forty-eight  years  of  age.  His  life  dur- 
ing the  stormy  struggle  which  ended  with  the  peace  of  1815, 
and  for  a  long  time  after  that  was  one  of  continued  hardship, 
for  he  actually  served  at  sea,  at  various  times  after  he  entered 
the  Navy  twenty-two  years  and  nine  months.  His  last  cruise 
of  three  years  and  two  months  in  the  Pacific,  terminated  in 
the  month  of  October  1829  when  he  was  in  the  sixty-second 
year  of  his  age.  He  was  afterwards  honored  with  the  most 
important  commands  in  the  service  on  shore,  at  the  Navy 
Yards  at  New  York,  Baltimore  and  the  Naval  Asylum  at 
Philadelphia.  He  remained  in  the  Navy  fifty-two  years  and 
in  every  station  conducted  himself  to  the  satisfaction  of  his 
government.  The  order  of  Cincinnati  admitted  him  into  the 
society  as  an  honorary  member.  After  having  enjoyed  dur- 
ing a  long  life,  the  society  of  a  large  number  of  devoted 
friends,  and  the  respect  and  esteem  of  his  countrymen  he 
descended  to  the  grave  crowned  with  a  fame  which  not  even 
personal  malice  or  envy  itself  would  dare  attempt  to  tarnish. 

Honorable  John  M.  Clayton  in  an  address  upon  his  life 
character  and  public  services,  in  closing  said,  "I  could 


COMMODORE  JACOB  JONES.  15 

not  bestow  a  better  eulogism  upon  the  character  of  Jacob 
Jones  than  to  add,  as  I  do  now  with  perfect  truth, 
that  the  love  of  country  was  his  ruling  passion.  He  was 
the  associate  of  the  revolutionary  patriots  of  Delaware  and 
was  reared  in  a  school  whose  devotion  to  the  Union  knew 
no  limits.  At  all  periods  of  his  life  he  manifested  the  most 
profound  deference  to  the  Laws  and  Constitution  of  his 
country.  Indeed  it  is  a  subject  of  sincere  congratulation 
that  no  true  son  of  Delaware  has  ever  yet  proved  faithless 
to  the  obligations  she  assumed,  when  she  led  her  sister 
states  and  carried  away  the  honor  of  being  the  first  to  adopt 
the  American  Constitution,  and  at  this  moment  I  do  not 
know  a  citizen  born  or  living  within  her  limits  who  does  not 
regard  the  Union,  as  the  Jews  regarded  the  Ark  of  the 
Covenant,  which  none  could  desecrate  and  live.  The 
affection  for  it  among  us  grows  stronger  with  its  increasing 
age.  And  the  name  of  its  immortal  founder;  The  father  of 
of  his  country' '  becomes  every  year  more  endeared  to  us  as 
the  flight  of  time  covers  it  with  the  shadows  of  antiquity." 
Jones  died  in  Philadelphia  on  Saturday  the  3rd  day  of 
August  1 850  in  the  eighty-third  year  of  his  age.  He  had 
been  Governor  of  the  Naval  Asylum  on  the  Schuylkill,  but 
owing  to  age  and  physical  infirmities  was  relieved  from  that 
command  only  a  short  time  before  his  death.  His  funeral 
took  place  on  the  6th  or  yth.  His  body  was  deposited  in 
the  receiving  vault  of  the  Ronaldson  Cemetery,  at  Eighth 
and  Fitzwater  streets,  with  such  appropriate  military  honors 
as  his  high  rank  and  distinguished  services  entitled  him. 
George  C.  Read  then  in  command  of  the  United  States  Navy 
yard  in  Philadelphia,  in  a  letter  dated  Oct.  i6th,  1850,  said, 
'  'I  was  a  pall-bearer  on  the  occasion  of  the  late  funeral  honors 


16  COMMODORE  JACOB  JONES, 

paid  to  the  remains  of  this  lamented  and  distinguished  officer. 
He  was  one  of  my  oldest  friends,  for  whom  I  entertained  the 
most  elevated  regard."  The  National  Guards  of  Phila- 
delphia, under  the  command  of  Captain  P.  L,yle,  attended 
his  funeral  on  that  occasion  as  his  body  guard.  On  the 
1 3th  of  the  same  month  August  his  remains  were  removed 
to  Cecilton,  Maryland,  and  buried  in  the  Cemetery  adjoin- 
ing St.  Stephen's  Church. 

During  the  latter  part  of  the  life  of  the  Commodore,  he 
frequently  expressed  an  ardent  desire  that  his  body  might 
be  permitted  finally  to  repose  beneath  the  soil  of  his  native 
state,  for  which  state,  he  had  always  during  his  eventful 
career,  manifested  the  strongest  regard  and  deepest  affec- 
tion. When  the  intelligence  of  his  death  was  received  in 
Wilmington,  the  citizens  immediately  determined  to  adopt 
such  measures  as  would  enable  them  to  comply  with  his 
often  expressed  wish  and  which  would  at  the  same  time 
give  them  an  opportunity  to  exhibit  that  respect  and 
gratitude  which  a  long  life  of  brilliant  and  meritorious 
service  in  the  defence  of  his  country  so  eminently  entitled 
him. 

Accordingly  on  the  day  folio  wing  the  removal  of  his  remains 
from  Philadelphia,  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Wilmington 
was  held  (presumably  in  the  City  Hall).  Dr.  Henry  F. 
Askew,  Win.  R.  Sellers  and  George  W.  Sparks,  members 
of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Wilmington  and  Brandy- 
wine  Cemetery,  were  appointed  a  committee  to  communicate 
with  Mrs.  Jones,  and  make  known  to  her  the  wish  of  the 
citizens  of  Wilmington  to  have  his  body  repose  in  the  Wil- 
mington and  Brandy  wine  Cemetery.  On  the  i4th  the 
Board  of  Directors  sent  the  following  letter  to  Lieutenant 


THE    MONUMENT    ERECTED    IN   THE    WILMINGTON    AND    BRANDYWINE    CEMETERY     AT 
WILMINGTON   BY  THE  STATE  OF  DELAWARE,  IN   MEMORY  OF    COMMODORE   JONES 


COMMODORE  JA  COB  JONES.  17 

John  P.  Gillis,  of  the  United  States  Navy,  then  residing  in 
Wilmington.  "The  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Wilmington 
and  Brandywine  Cemetery,  uniting  in  the  views  expressed 
by  many  of  their  fellow  citizens,  that  the  remains  of  Com- 
modore Jacob  Jones,  should  repose  in  his  native  state,  hereby 
offer  to  his  family  a  lot  in  the  Cemetery  for  the  purpose  of 
his  interment  therein  and  they  do  not  doubt  but  that  it  will 
be  the  pleasure  of  the  Legislature  at  its  next  session  to 
direct  the  erection  of  a  suitable  monument  over  the  remains 
of  so  distinguished  a  son  of  Delaware. 

You  will  please  be  the  medium  through  which  this  com- 
munication may  be  made  known  to  her. ' ' 

WILLARD  HALL,  WILLIAM  R.  SELLERS, 

GEORGE  W.  SPARKS,     HENRY  F.  ASKEW, 
JOSEPH  T.  BAILEY,        SAM'L  WOLLASTON. 
To  Lieut.  John  P.  Gillis, 
U.  S.  Navy. 

On   the  sixteenth,  Lieutenant  Gillis  sent  the  following 
reply: 

WILMINGTON,  DELAWARE,  August  16,  1850. 
GENTLEMEN: — In  compliance  with  your  note  of  the  four- 
teenth inst.  I  have  had  an  interview  with  Mrs.  Jones.  She 
consents  to  your  request  that  the  remains  of  her  beloved 
husband,  the  late  Commodore  Jacob  Jones,  U.  S.  Navy,  a 
gallant  and  distinguished  son  of  Delaware,  may  repose  in 
his  native  State,  and  accepts  gratefully  your  offer  of  a  lot  in 
the  Brandywine  Cemetery,  in  the  environs  of  Wilmington, 
for  the  purpose  mentioned.  The  body  was  removed  on  the 
thirteenth  inst.  to  Cecil  county,  Maryland,  and  is  at  your 
disposal  for  interment  here.  Commodore  Jones  always  felt 


18  COMMODORE  JA  COB  JONES. 

a  strong  attachment  for  his  native  State  and  preserved  with 
great  care  the  testimonials  of  its  regard  for  him. 

I  am,  with  great  regard, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  P.  GILUS. 
To  Hon.   WillardHall, 
Wm.  R.  Sellers, 
Geo.  W.  Sparks, 
Henry  F.  Askew,  and  others. 

Mrs.  Jones  having  now  assented  to  the  wishes  of  the 
citizens,  a  meeting  of  the  Directors  of  the  Cemetery  was 
held  and  the  same  committee  was  authorized  to  select  a  lot 
and  requested  to  superintend  the  removal  and  interment  of  the 
remains.  At  a  meeting  of  the  board  held  on  the  2nd  day  of 
September  the  Committee  reported  that  they  had  selected 
lot  No.  \y2,  in  section  W,  and  it  was  on  motion  appropriated 
for  that  purpose.  At  a  meeting  of  the  board  held  on  the 
28th  day  of  September,  the  committee  of  arrangements 
reported  on  the  subject  of  funeral  ceremonies  that  they  had 
attended  to  that  duty,  so  far  as  corresponding  with  the 
different  military  companies,  the  Orders  of  Masons,  Odd 
Fellows,  Fire  Companies,  etc.  The  committee  was  continued 
to  perform  the  duties  assigned  them  with  the  privilege  of 
adding  to  their  number  from  the  citizens  at  large,  and  were 
instructed  to  name  the  day  on  which  the  ceremonies  should 
take  place.  The  committee  added  the  following  named 
citizens,  John  McClung,  Alexander  Porter,  Joshua  S.  Valen- 
tine, Zenas  B.  Glazier,  William  Simmons,  Spencer  D.  Eves, 
Wm.  Parke  Boyce,  William  H.  Pierce,  W.  H.  Jones,  J.  W. 
Thompson,  and  James  M.  Dixon,  and  designated  Saturday, 
October  26th,  as  the  day  for  the  ceremonies. 


COMMODORE  JA  COB  JONES.  19 

Notices  to  that  effect  were  published  in  the  Delaware 
Gazette  and  Delaware  State  Journal.  Invitations  to  attend 
were  given  to  Commodore  Charles  Stewart,  Foxhall  A.  Par- 
ker, Commander-in- Chief  of  the  Home  Squadron,  I,.  B. 
Webster  Brevet  lieutenant  Colonel  United  States  Navy,  John 
Harris  of  the  Marine  Barracks  Philadelphia,  P.  I^yle  Captain 
of  the  National  Guards  of  Philadelphia,  John  Me  Adam  Cap- 
tain of  the  Washington  Greys,  Philadelphia,  Commander  S. 
F.  DuPont,  Hon.  John  M.  Clayton,  James  Rogers  of  Booth- 
Hurst  near  New  Castle,  and  many  others  prominent  in  this 
and  other  states.  Commodore  Stewart  replied  that  he  was 
under  orders  for  special  duty  at  Washington  at  that  time 
and  could  not  attend.  Commodore  Foxhall  G.  Parker  replied 
that  unless  prevented  by  official  duties,  it  would  afford  him 
much  satisfaction  to  unite  with  the  citizens  of  Wilmington  in 
paying  the  last  sad  and  solemn  ceremonies  to  the  memory  of 
his  lamented  and  venerated  friend,  Commodore  Jones,  who 
was  an  ornament  to  the  Navy  and  the  Country.  Lieutenant 
Webster  replied,  that  he  regretted  that  his  command  being 
under  orders  for  New  Orleans,  would  deprive  them  from 
uniting  with  the  citizens  of  Wilmington  in  testifying  their 
respect  for  that  gallant  son  of  Delaware,  the  late  Commodore 
Jacob  Jones.  John  Harris  that  he  would  join  the  citizens 
of  Wilmington  in  paying  the  funeral  honors  to  the  late  gal- 
lant Commodore  Jacob  Jones.  Captain  P.  Lyle  that  he  and 
the  corps  under  his  command  would  attend  the  ceremonies 
consequent  to  the  re-interment  of  the  remains  of  the  late 
gallant  Commodore  Jones,  and  that  they  would  consider  it 
but  a  fulfilment  of  their  duty,  from  the  fact  of  their  having 
had  the  honor  to  serve  as  the  body-guard  in  the  funeral 
ceremonies  in  this  city  in  August  last. 


20  COMMODORE  JACOB  JONES. 

Captain  John  McAdam  replied  that  he  and  the  Washington 
Greys  would  unite  with  the  citizens  of  Wilmington  in  the 
civic  and  military  honors  to  be  paid  to  the  remains  of  the 
brave  and  gallant  son  of  Delaware.  Commander  S.  F.  DuPont 
that  it  would  give  him  much  satisfaction  to  unite  with  the 
citizens  of  his  native  state,  in  doing  honor  to  the  remains  of 
a  brave  officer  and  true  patriot,  whom  he  had  long  known  and 
under  whom  it  was  his  good  fortune  to  have  served.  Wm.  A. 
Graham  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  notified  the  committee  under 
date  of  October  i8th,  that  the  Commandant  of  the  Marine 
Corps  had  been  directed  to  order  the  Marines  stationed  at 
Philadelphia  to  join  the  procession  of  the  citizens  of  Wil- 
mington in  the  solemn  ceremonies  attending  the  re-interment 
of  the  remains  of  the  late  Commodore  Jones.  Mr.  Clayton 
wrote  on  the  25th  of  October,  that  being  unwell  and  his 
family  afflicted  with  sickness  he  might  not  be  able  to  attend 
the  ceremonies,  but  if  health  and  weather  would  permit,  he 
would  endeavor  to  attend  as  a  pall-bearer.  James  Rogers 
that  sympathizing  as  he  did  with  the  feelings  which  prompt- 
ed citizens  of  Wilmington,  in  claiming  the  remains  of  the 
distinguished  dead  for  interment  in  his  native  state  that 
with  sincere  reluctance  he  was  obliged  to  decline  as  he 
would  suffer  much  under  the  fatigues  of  the  funeral  pro- 
cession. Invitations  were  extended  to  all  the  military  com- 
panies of  the  state  to  the  Sons  of  Temperance,  Sons  of 
Washington  and  the  Society  of  Cordwainers.  Timely 
notice  having  been  given  to  the  Rector  of  St.  Stephen's 
Church  and  arrangements  made  for  having  the  body  dis- 
interred, a  committee  with  suitable  conveyances  went  to 
Cecilton  for  the  remains.  In  the  Delaware  State  Journal  of 
October  25th  the  following  item  was  published. 


COMMODORE  JA  COB  JONES.  21 

The  remains  of  Commodore  Jacob  Jones,  will  arrive  in 
Wilmington,  at  three  o'clock,  today.  By  a  card  in  another 
column,  all  our  citizens  are  invited  to  meet  them  at  the 
corner  of  Market  and  Water  streets,  and  escort  them  to  the 
City  Hall,  where  they  will  remain  under  Military  guard 
until  to-morrow.  Notice  was  also  given  that  the  Commo- 
dore having  been  a  member  of  the  order  of  Masons,  would 
be  buried  according  to  the  forms  and  honors  of  that  order, 
as  well  as  the  honors  of  war.  A  convention  of  the  order  of 
Masons  of  the  State  had  been  called,  and  met  at  the  Masonic 
Hall  in  Wilmington,  on  the  i6th  of  October,  for  the  purpose 
of  making  the  necessary  arrangements  in  honor  of  the  illus- 
trious dead.  The  Journal  of  the  same  date  (25th)  continues: 
Major  Nathaniel  Young,  a  retired  officer  of  the  Army  resid- 
ing in  New  Castle,  was  invited  to  arrange  and  command  the 
procession  for  the  day,  he  consented  and  issued  his  orders, 
requesting  all  intending  to  take  part  in  the  procession  to  be 
on  the  ground  by  one  o'clock.  At  an  early  hour  in  the 
morning,  although  the  day  seemed  unfavorable,  and  many 
who  intended  to  take  part  in  the  ceremonies,  did  not  come 
in  consequence,  yet  the  indications  of  the  solemn  occasion 
were  perceptible  in  the  hurrying  to  and  fro  of  the  military 
and  citizens  generally  in  their  holiday  attire. 

At  12  o'clock  a  train  of  cars  from  Philadelphia  arrived 
bringing  several  Military  companies,  and  as  they  filed  into 
Market  street  the  sun  broke  forth,  and  their  uniforms  and 
brilliant  equipments  made  a  most  imposing  appearance  as 
they  proceeded  up  the  street,  marching  with  the  utmost 
precision  to  the  soul  stiring  strains  of  martial  music  from 
the  instruments  of  several  powerful  brass  bands  by  which 
they  were  accompanied. 


22  COMMODORE  JACOB  JONES. 

At  2  o'clock  everything  being  in  readiness  the  grand  array 
began  to  move  slowly  forward  with  measured  tread  to  the 
solemn  strains  of  the  "Dead  March",  and  as  step  by  step  it 
proceeded,  the  sound  of  the  muffled  drum  and  the  long  drawn 
wailing  sound  of  the  bugle  imbued  all  beholders  with  feel- 
ings of  awe,  and  deeply  impressed  them  with  the  imposing 
solemnity  of  the  sad  but  brilliant  pageant. 

The  order  of  the  procession  was: 

MAJOR  NATHANIEL  YOUNG  AND  STAFF: 

Col.  William  G.  Whitely,  J.  F.  Price,  Esq.,  and 

Dr.  James  W.  Thompson. 

CHIEF  MARSHAL,       Captain  Thatcher. 
WILMINGTON  VOLUNTEERS. 

WILMINGTON  RIFLE  COMPANY. 
Captain  Spencer  D.  Eves.     Twenty-two  Rifles. 

COMPANY  "B"  DELAWARE  ARTILLERY. 
Major  Gilpin.      Twenty-eight  Muskets  with  band  of  music. 

PHILADELPHIA  VOLUNTEERS. 

NATIONAL  GUARDS. 

Captain  P.  Lyle.  A  fine  looking  body  of  men,  twenty-one 
in  number,  attracting  much  attention,  their  dress  being 
peculiar,  wearing  light  coats  and  blue  pants. 

NATIONAL  GREYS. 
Major  Fritz.     Twenty-five  Muskets. 

WASHINGTON  GREYS. 

Captain  Adams.  Forty-one  Muskets,  followed  by  their 
three  bands,  discoursing  solemn  and  touching  music. 

MARINES. 
From  the  Phila.  Navy  Yard,  Major  Harris  Commanding. 


COMMODORE  JA  COB  JONES.  23 

PALL  BEARERS. 

Commander,  S.  F.  DuPont,         Lieutenant  Fonce, 
Adams,  "          Gilles, 

Captain  Henry,  "          Trenchard, 

"       Harris,  "          Lambden. 

HEARSE. 

Containing  the  remains  of  Commodore  Jones,  encased  in  an 
outer  coffin,  covered  with  cloth  and  mounted  with  silver. 
The  Hearse  was  a  credit  to  the  Undertakers,  S.  &  T.  Mc- 
Clary,  of  this  city.  The  body  of  the  hearse  was  paneled 
in  octagon,  the  top  resting  on  octagon  columns,  surrounded 
by  a  heavy  and  tasteful  cloth-pall  over  which  was  an  Amer- 
ican Eagle  draped  with  crape,  on  either  side  of  the  hearse 
were  the  pall-bearers  and  guard  of  honor. 

SECOND  TROOP  OP  DELAWARE  LIGHT  DRAGOONS. 
Captain  Sutton. 

MASONIC  LODGES  OF  DELAWARE  AND  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Numbering  one  hundred  and  fifty-five.      Marshal,  Joseph 

H.  Rogers,  of  New  Castle. 

BAND  OF  Music. 

COMMITTEE  OF  ARRANGEMENTS. 

MAYOR  OF  THE  CITY. 

ODD  FELLOWS. 
Numbering  One  hundred  and  ten.   Marshal,  Capt.  Paradise. 

SOCIETY  OF  CORDWAINERS. 
SONS  OF  TEMPERANCE. 

SONS  OF  WASHINGTON. 
Forty  members.      Marshal,  George  W.  Powell. 

WILMINGTON  BRASS  BAND. 


24  COMMODORE  JA  COB  JONES. 

FRIENDSHIP  FIRE  COMPANY. 

Forty-four  members,  dressed  in  black  with  silk  badges, 
bearing  white  pinions  draped  with  crape. 

BRASS  BAND. 

DELAWARE  FIRE  COMPANY. 

Fifty-four  members  dressed  in  black  with  badges  of  black, 
buttoned  with  gold. 

PHOENIX  FIRE  COMPANY. 
Twenty-three  members.  Black  badges  with  gold  letters. 

BAND. 

WATER  WITCH  FIRE  COMPANY. 
Thirty  members.     Dressed  in  black,  with  badges. 

BAND. 

FAME  HOSE  COMPANY. 

Thirty-four  members  in  white  sailor  dress,  drawing  their 
beautiful  Hose  Carriage  draped  in  black,  bearing  a  ship, 
representing  the  "Wasp",  with  flag  at  half-mast.  The  re- 
maining members  of  this  fire  company  followed  in  citizens 
dress,  thirty-four  in  number,  preceded  by  their  band,  draped 
in  crape,  making  in  all  sixty-eight  members. 

BAND. 

WASHINGTON  FIRE  COMPANY. 

Thirty-four  members,  dressed  in  black,  wearing  white  crape 
scarfs  around  their  hats.  Banner  of  the  Company  draped 
with  white  crape. 

CITIZENS.     A  large  number. 

The  orders  of  Free  Masons,  Sons  of  Washington  and  Odd 
Fellows  in  especial  made  a  very  handsome  appearance. 


COMMODORE  JACOB  JONES.  25 

The  soldiery  headed  and  officered  by  so  many  prominent 
military  and  naval  officers,  made  the  most  effective  and 
beautiful  display  ever  witnessed  in  this  city.  The  collection 
of  military  was  the  largest  and  most  interesting  ever  seen  in 
this  State.  The  music  from  the  bands  was  sublimely  beau- 
tiful in  its  deep  solemnity.  Indeed  the  whole  pageant  was 
deeply  impressive  and  well  calculated  to  inspire  the  sensitive 
mind  with  feelings  of  reverential  awe.  There  was  nothing 
gaudy  or  showy;  all  was  neat,  solemn  and  sincere  as  the 
deep  wail  of  the  Military  band  which  performed  the  "Dead 
March"  fell  upon  our  ears.  As  the  hearse  passed,  we  were 
profoundly  impressed  on  reflecting  on  the  distinguished 
deeds,  and  brilliant  history  of  the  heroic  dead  then  lying 
silent  beneath  the  sable  canopy  with  the  solemn  import  of 
the  great  warning:  "such  is  the  end  of  earth." 

After  passing  through  the  principal  streets  of  our  city  the 
procession  wended  its  way  by  Delaware  avenue  to  the 
Cemetery,  where  the  remains  were  interred  with  Military 
and  Masonic  honors,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Cooper  making  a  few 
appropriate  remarks  to  close  the  ceremony. 

He  deserved  the  honor.  He  deserved  the  fame  he  ac- 
quired, as  he  deserved  the  regard  and  esteem  of  a  multitude 
of  friends  who  knew  how  to  prize  the  manly  virtues  of  his 
private  character.  He  was  ' '  as  mild  in  peace,  as  brave 
in  war. ' ' 

MAY  THE  GALLANT  DEPARTED  REST  IN  PEACE. 

The  Delaware  Gazette  of  October  29th,  said:  "The 
obsequies  of  the  distinguished  Naval  Hero,  Commodore 
Jacob  Jones,  the  gallant  son  of  Delaware,  which  took  place 
on  Saturday  last,  was  a  grand  and  imposing  affair,  and 
were  conducted  with  great  pomp  and  display. 


26  COMMODORE  JA  COB  JONES. 

The  Hon.  John  M.  Clayton,  who  for  a  long  series  of  years, 
had  been  his  warm  and  devoted  friend,  and  who,  perhaps, 
more  than  most  others  was  familiar  with  his  private  and 
public  life,  was  respectfully  and  particularly  requested  to 
deliver  in  the  city  of  Wilmington  an  eulogium  on  his  life, 
character  and  public  services.  Mr.  Clayton  promptly 
acceded  to  this  request,  and  on  the  lyth  day  of  December, 
1850,  in  the  saloon  of  the  Odd  Fellows'  Hall,  at  the  N.  W. 
corner  of  Third  and  King  streets,  before  a  large  assemblage 
of  the  citizens  of  Delaware,  delivered  his  address.  At  its 
conclusion,  a  meeting  was  organized  by  calling  the  Hon. 
Willard  Hall  to  the  chair,  a  vote  of  thanks  was  unanimously 
adopted,  thanking  Mr.  Clayton  for  his  eloquent  and  appro- 
priate address. 

On  the  26th  day  of  February  1861,  the  Legislature  of  our 
State  passed  a  joint  resolution,  appointing  Captain  S.  F. 
DuPont,  Capt.  John  P.  Gillis  and  Doctor  Henry  F.  Askew, 
to  cause  a  suitable  monument  to  be  erected  over  the  remains 
of  Commodore  Jones,  lying  in  the  Wilmington  and  Brandy- 
wine  Cemetery,  and  to  enclose  the  same  as  a  tribute  of 
respect  to  his  distinguished  memory,  and  appropriated  the 
sum  of  $250.00  for  that  purpose,  subject  to  their  order. 

Nearly  midway  between  the  Delaware  avenue  entrance 
and  Adams  street,  and  about  sixty  feet  from  the  iron  fence 
enclosing  the  Cemetery,  can  be  seen  the  granite  and  white 
marble  monument  over  the  grave  of  this  brave,  gallant  and 
lamented  son  of  Delaware,  who  in  perils  at  sea,  perils  in 
battle,  in  the  service  of  his  country,  devoted  fifty-two  years 
of  his  life. 

As  was  said  of  his  contemporary,  the  lamented  Decatur, 
so  may  it  be  said  of  Jones,  "That  the  love  of  country  was 


COMMODORE  JA  COB  JONES.  27 

his  crowning  glory.  For  his  country  he  lived — for  his 
country  he  fought.  Living  he  was  admired — dying  he  was 
lamented,  and  his  memory  will  be  cherished  in  fond  remem- 
brance, as  long  as  ardent  patriotism,  fearless  courage,  and 
exalted  virtues,  shall  receive  an  approving  sentence  in  the 
human  heart." 


Transcript  of  the  record  of  service  of  Commodore  Jacob  Jones, 

as  preserved  by  the  Navy  Department, 

Washington,  D.  C. 

1799,  April  10,  appointed  an  Acting  Midshipman  in  the 
Navy  from  this  date,  warrant  as  such  being  dated  and  for- 
warded on  April  13,  1799.  Accepted  appointed  on  May  i, 
1799.  Was  promoted  to  Lieutenant  from  February  27, 
1 80 1,  his  commission  as  such  being  dated  and  forwarded 
that  date.  Was  ordered  to  the  Constitution  on  August  4, 
1801;  furloughed  indefinitely  on  October  15,  1801;  ordered 
to  the  Constellation  on  November  21,  1801;  ordered  to  the 
Philadelphia  on  May  24,  1803;  was  taken  prisoner  by  the 
Tripolitans  on  October  31,  1803,  and  liberated  on  June  3, 
1805,  was  attached  to  the  President  in  September,  1805; 
joined  the  Adams  at  New  York  in  October,  1805;  was 
ordered  to  Washington  on  April  26,  1806;  ordered  to  Port- 
land, Maine,  on  May  17,  1806,  to  command  the  Ketch  Aetna; 
ordered  to  the  New  York  Station  on  March  20,  1807;  was 


28  COMMODORE  JA  COB  JONES. 

assigned  to  court-martial  duty  on  December  7,  1807,  and 
ordered  to  Norfolk;  ordered  to  the  Naval  Station,  New 
York,  on  March  8,  1808.  On  February  27,  1809,  was 
ordered  to  give  up  command  of  the  Brig  Argus  and  to  report 
at  the  Naval  Station,  New  York.  (The  Bureau  has  no 
available  information  concerning  the  date  of  reporting,  or 
detachment  from  the  Argus).  On  April  20,  1810,  was  pro- 
moted to  Master-Commandant;  and  oh  June  4,  1810,  was 
ordered  to  command  the  Wasp;  on  February  i,  1813,  was 
ordered  to  New  York,  to  command  the  Macedonian;  on 
March  3,  1813,  was  commissioned  a  Captain,  under  confirm- 
ation of  the  Senate;  on  April  6,  1814,  was  ordered  to  proceed, 
with  officers  and  crew  of  the  Macedonian,  from  New  London, 
Ct.,  to  Sacketts  Harbor,  N.  Y. ;  on  February  25,  1815,  was 
ordered  to  proceed  from  Sacketts  Harbor  to  command  the 
Macedonian  at  New  London,  Ct.;  on  December  26,  1815, 
was  given  permission  to  remain  on  shore  for  three  months; 
on  March  15,  1816,  was  ordered  to  command  the  Guerriere 
at  Boston;  on  April  20,  1818,  was  ordered  to  command  the 
Constitution  at  Boston;  on  October  12,  1829,  was  granted 
leave  unlimited;  on  December  28,  1829,  was  ordered  to 
command  the  Baltimore  Station;  on  June  23,  1831,  was 
given  permission  to  visit  the  Eastern  Shore  of  Maryland;  on 
December  5,  1839,  w«s  detached  from  command  of  the 
Baltimore  Station  and  granted  leave  for  three  months;  on 
April  1 6,  1842,  was  again  ordered  to  command  the  Balti- 
more Station;  on  September  23,  1842,  was  ordered  to  com- 
mand the  vessels  afloat  at  New  York;  on  September  6,  1845, 
was  ordered  to  immediate  command  of  the  Receiving  ship 
North  Carolina:  on  September  20,  1845,  was  ordered  detach- 
ed from  command  of  the  North  Carolina;  on  January  6,  1846, 


COMMODORE  JA  COB  JONES.  29 

was  ordered  to  command  the  docks,  etc.,  at  New  York;  on 
February  4,  1846,  finished  examination;  on  June  19,  1847, 
was  appointed  Governor  of  the  Naval  Asylum  from  July  i, 
1847;  on  June  14,  1850,  was  detached  and  granted  permis- 
sion to  occupy  quarters  at  the  Naval  Asylum  while  sick;  on 
August  3,  1850,  died  at  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania. 


Family  Record  of  Commodore  Jacob  Jones. 

Jacob  Jones  was  born  near  Smyrna  in  March,  1768,  his 
father  bore  the  same  name  and  came  from  Welsh  stock,  who 
settled  in  middle  England  and  from  there  came  to  America. 
His  mother  was  a  Miss  McDermott.  Both  of  his  parents  died 
before  young  Jacob  reached  the  age  of  four  years  and  he  was 
reared  by  his  step-mother,  Penelope  Holt  Jones,  the  grand- 
daughter of  Ryves  Holt  who  was  the  first  resident  Chief 
Justice  of  the  State  of  Delaware  serving  in  that  distinguished 
position  in  the  Provincial  Courts  from  1745  to  1764. 

A  great  attachment  existed  between  the  step-mother  and 
the  son  and  he  gave  her  the  credit  for  whatever  progress  he 
made  in  the  world. 

After  receiving  an  education  obtained  in  the  Grammar 
schools  and  at  the  lyewes  Academy,  he  studied  medicine  at 
Dover  under  Dr.  James  Sykes,  and  attended  medical  lectures 
at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania.  Soon  after  beginning  prac- 


80  COMMODORE  JA  COB  JONES. 

tice  he  married  a  sister  of  Dr.  Sykes,  but  she  lived  but  a  few 
years  and  died  childless  before  he  entered  the  Navy  in  1799. 
He  married  a  second  time,  but  the  name  of  his  second  wife 
cannot  be  ascertained.  By  the  second  marriage  there  was  one 
son  Richard  A.  Jones,  who  became  a  Captain  in  the  United 
States  Navy.  The  latter  married  Emily  Pinckney  of  Balti- 
more, both  he  and  his  wife  died  prior  to  1860,  leaving  one  son, 
John  Mesroom  Jones,  who  became  a  priest  in  the  Roman 
Catholic  Church,  and  died  in  1902  while  on  his  way  to  Italy. 

There  was  also  a  daughter  by  the  second  marriage,  who 
became  a  nun,  and  died  at  the  Georgetown  D.  C.  Convent 
being  known  as  Sister  Stanislaus.  She  was  L,ady  Superior 
of  the  convent  at  the  time  of  her  death,  and  was  a  woman 
of  marked  talent  and  a  fine  musician. 

In  1821,  Commodore  Jones  was  married  a  third  time,  the 
lady  of  his  choice  being  Ruth  L,usby  of  Cecil  County,  Mary- 
land, the  daughter  of  a  respected  land  owner  in  that  section. 
There  were  four  children  of  the  latter  marriage,  two,  Ann 
Janet  and  Jacob  Henry  dying  young.  A  daughter  Emily  died 
unmarried  a  few  years  after  the  death  of  her  father.  Edward 
Stanislius  Jones  the  oldest  son  of  the  third  marriage  became 
a  L/ieutenant  in  the  Marine  Corps  of  the  United  States  and 
was  with  Perry  when  he  opened  the  ports  of  Japan.  He 
married  Eliza  Gardner  Henderson,  daughter  of  General 
Archibald  Henderson  for  forty  years  the  Commandant  of  the 
United  States  Marine  Corps  at  Washington,  D.  C. 

Edward  Stanislaus  Jones  had  two  sons,  Edward  S.  Jr.  who 
died  unmarried,  soon  after  attaining  his  majority  and  Frank 
Cazenove  Jones,  now  living.  The  latter  married  in  1883, 
Harriet  Cazenove  L,amar,  daughter  of  Gazaway  B.  I^amar, 
a  native  of  Augusta,  Georgia,  but  afterward  a  resident  of 


COMMODORE  JA  COB  JONES.  31 

Savannah,  and  later  of  New  York  City.  Mr.  Lamar  was 
one  of  the  founders  and  the  first  President  of  the  Bank  of 
the  Republic  in  New  York  City. 

There  are  now  living  four  descendants  of  the  Commodore, 
his  grandson,  Frank  Cazenove  Jones  a  resident  of  New  York 
City  and  his  three  children,  Paulina  Cazenove  Jones,  Frank 
Cazenove  Jones,  Jr.  and  Florence  Cazenove  Jones.  The 
oldest  son  of  the  Commodore,  Edward  S.,  died  in  1886,  at 
the  age  of  sixty  years,  and  is  buried  in  the  grave-yard  adjoin- 
ing St.  Stephen's  Church  near  Cecilton,  Maryland.  His 
mother  Ruth  (Lusby)  Jones  lies  at  rest  beside  him,  her  grave 
being  marked  with  a  cross  of  white  marble,  giving  the  date 
of  birth  as  March  2oth,  1796,  and  the  date  of  death  as  July 

20th,    1868. 

Commodore  Jones  was  a  man  of  exceedingly  plain  tastes 
and  thoroughly  democratic  in  his  tendencies,  but  he  sprung 
from  a  line  of  ancestry  that  was  distinguished.  The  family 
was  entitled  to  a  coat  of  arms,  but  he  maintained  that  in  a 
Republic  no  one  had  the  right  to  use  a  coat  of  arms,  and  his 
opinions  were  so  radical  on  this  point  that  he  purposely  re- 
frained from  telling  his  wife  and  children  the  design  of  the 
arms  of  the  family.  He  possessed  three  old  silver  tankards 
and  at  his  suggestion  they  were  melted  and  remodeled  so 
that  the  coat  of  arms  which  they  bore  should  be  effaced. 
A  seal  ring,  bearing  the  family  crest,  which  he  sometimes 
wore,  was  stolen  from  him  while  on  one  of  his  early  cruises. 
When  urged  by  his  family  to  inform  them  as  to  his  coat  of 
arms,  his  invariable  answer  was,  "I  am  a  Welshman  and  a 
leek  is  my  coat  of  arms' ' . 

The  descendants  of  the  Commodore  have  in  their  posses- 
sion two  handsome  silver  urns  presented  to  the  gallant  naval 


32  COMMODORE  JA  COB  JONES, 

officer  by  the  State  of  Delaware  and  the  City  of  Philadelphia; 
also  a  sword  with  gold  handle  and  Damascus  blade,  with  the 
accompanying  freedom  of  the  city,  presented  by  the  City 
of  New  York.  A  gold  medal,  containing,  it  is  claimed,  the 
best  protrait  of  the  Commodore,  struck  by  Congress  to  per- 
petuate the  famous  encounter  between  the  Wasp  and  the 
Frolic  is  also  in  the  grandson's  family  and  highly  prized  as 
a  memento  of  this  distinguished  Delawarean. 


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